Family vacation in Sharjah, UAE: 5 interesting summer activities for adults and children
Sharjah attracts travelers who are interested in the history and culture of the United Arab Emirates. But summertime here is also great for family travel.
Sharjah is one of the most family-friendly areas in the UAE, thanks to the abundance of affordable and spacious family homes and the best family resorts. There is a huge variety of outdoor and indoor activities for adults and children, educational centers and other exciting adventures.
We will tell you about the top 5 best family fun activities in Sharjah, UAE that will be a special summer travel memory. Some of these adventures you haven't even heard of or didn't think it was possible. If you're looking for unusual and exclusive activities for the whole family, then Sharjah, UAE has something for you to do, even in the heat of the day.
1. Meet the deep-sea inhabitants of the aquarium
Sharjah Aquarium is the largest public education center in the United Arab Emirates. And is definitely on the list of the best places to visit for families in Sharjah. There are 20 tanks spread over two floors with coral reefs, rock pools, lagoons and mangroves. Walking through the inner tunnels, you can observe different marine animals in their natural habitats. More than 100 species reside here, such as clownfish, reef sharks, stingrays, moray eels, seahorses and others.
An important part of this educational center's mission is turtle rehabilitation. This program releases sick or injured animals back into the wild after treatment.
Location, tickets and hours of operation
The Marine Aquarium is located in the old Al Khan neighborhood on Al Mina Street next to the city's Maritime Museum. It is open Saturday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm (Fridays only in the afternoon from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm). Tickets can be purchased at the door. The cost is AED 24 for adults and children from 13 years old and AED 15 for children 2-12 years old. For toddlers under 2 years of age, admission is free.
2. Take a walk in the 'dry' rain
Sharjah is home to a unique Rain Room installation that is definitely worth a family outing. It was created by the London-Berlin art house Random International. This unusual piece of contemporary art allows a person to take a walk in the rain indoors. This is made possible by trigger sensors that stop the water by reacting to movement. As a result, you will walk around surrounded by a constant downpour, but you will not get wet. A session lasts 15 minutes. A maximum of six people can be in the room at a time.
Location, tickets and opening times
This one of the most unusual best family-friendly places in Sharjah, UAE is located near Al Mujarrah Park in Al Sharq neighborhood. Rain Room, is open daily from 9am to 9pm. Tickets can be purchased on site or at Rainroom.sharjahart.org. Tickets are priced at AED 25 for adults. It is AED 15 for students under the age of 22 (subject to presentation of student ID card) and teachers with school ID card.
3. Walk with butterflies
An unusual encounter awaits travelers at Al Noor Island. This is one of the best attractions for the whole family in Sharjah, UAE. The Butterfly House is a facility where visitors can learn all sorts of information about different species of butterflies and see them. More than 500 insects belonging to over 20 species live here. There are exotic butterflies in the collection, such as the tailed jay, emerald mahogany or malachite butterfly. To create a favorable environment under the dome there is a climate control system, and the space is filled with trees and tropical plants from all over the world. In addition, a playground and an educational location are organized for children, where young visitors can learn about all stages of development and life of these amazing insects.
Location, tickets and opening times
Al Noor Island, located along the Khalid Lagoon, can be reached via the Buhaira Corniche Road. Along the way, you'll see some other top family-friendly places to visit in Sharjah - Al Noor Mosque and pass through the tropical botanical garden. The Butterfly House welcomes visitors daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Entrance tickets can be purchased online at Discovershurooq.ae or through the call center at 06 506 7000. Adult tickets cost AED 40 and children's tickets cost AED 24.
4. Experience the water activities at the water park
One of the most popular family destinations in Sharjah, UAE is Al Montaza Park. It is essentially a combination of two outdoor establishments - the Island of Legends amusement park and the Pearl Kingdom water park. In hot weather, the opportunity to refresh yourself sounds especially appealing, especially if it combines a lot of entertainment and exciting attractions. The Pearl Kingdom is home to 11 water slides designed for different ages with the appropriate height requirement. It will be an interesting and exciting family vacation in Sharjah, UAE.
Location, tickets and opening hours
The park is located on Flag Island in Khalid Lagoon. "Pearl Kingdom" is open daily from 10 am to 9 pm. But on Tuesdays, entrance is only available for women. Tickets must be purchased in advance at online.almontazah.ae. Full access costs AED 140 for children between 80 and 120 cm tall and AED 175 for adults from 120 cm.
5. Enjoy the tranquility of the House of Wisdom
In 2019, Sharjah was awarded the title of UNESCO World Book Capital. To coincide with this event, a huge new library called the House of Wisdom was opened here. It houses 15 halls and rooms on two floors and houses more than 100,000 books.
It is a shining example of a modern library: it is equipped with interactive rooms, digital resources, a lab with 3D printers, etc. Include it in your Sharjah itinerary, not only as an ideal place to study, work and read, but also for a relaxing family vacation. You can borrow a book and settle down in the lounge, café, garden in the central courtyard or the futuristic single hanging booth. The library hosts a variety of lectures, exhibitions, Japanese and Spanish language classes and a summer camp for children.
Location, tickets and opening hours
The House of Wisdom is located near the university campus opposite Sharjah International Airport at Al Juraina 1. It is open Sunday through Thursday from 8am to 11pm, and Friday and Saturday from 8am to 12pm. Admission is free, but there is a fee for renting a separate 'pod' or admission to certain events.